Improvement in water-meters



ATENT EETCE,

JOsEPH THOMAS, OE NEW YO'EK, N. Y.

JMPROVEIVIENT IN viiiATER-itlETERSa Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 33,1106, dated October 1,1861.

- of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is an end view of my invention, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, showing a portion in section.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts A in both the figures.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the construction and operation of the same by the aid of the drawings.

The measuring-vessels are two cylindrical bellows, A B, both fixed to a single movable partition, I. From the exteriorfixed ends of the double bellows thus formed pipes or passages E D extend, and are bent so as to unite in a vertical pipe, G, as represented. At their intersection I place a four-way cock, F, so constructed as to be capable of connecting D with the upper portion of G, and E with the lower portion of the same, or vice versa1 according as it is turned. A and B are alternately filled and emptied by means now to be described. To this cock F, I affix a disk, f, which carries two projecting pins, ff. To a fixed point at a convenient distance above the cock F, I hang a lever, H, which extends downward between the pins f f and by them its motion is transmitted to the cock F. The lever H receives motion alternately in Opposite directions from stops or projections I I", attached to the movable partition I between the bellows A B, and fitted to traverse on suitable slides, i, extending from D to E. Beneath the cock F, I fix a double incline, L L, as represented, and upon the lever H a roller, M, adapted to bear thereon. p The roller M is fitted to slide longitudinally on the lever H, and is forced upward in contactwith the ineline L by means of a spiral spring, m. (Shown in dotted lines.) The action ot' this spring m, roller M, and double incline L L isto carry the lever H, and through that the cock F, to the full extent of its proper motion in either direction from the central position after it has been carried to the central position by the contact of the pins I I", which latter are operated by the action of the bellows A B. The pipe through which the water enters the meter is attached to the bottom of the pipe G, and the exit-pipe to the top vof the Sule.

The operation is as follows: The parts being in the position shown in the drawings,

f water enters through the pipe or passage D4 into the bellows B, expanding it and forcing that which was contained in A through E out at the top of G, as is shown by the arrows. As the bellows B is expanded, the stop I comes in contact with the lever H, moving it until the roller M passes thepoint ofthe double incline LL,when the spring m, acting through M on the incline, continues the motion of H, and suddenly changes the position of the cock F, so as to connect A with the induction-pipe and B with the discharging-pipe. The reverse action then takes place, A being expanded and B emptied. Mechanism (not represented, but which is of any of the well-known kinds) is attachedto the lever H or to the sliding stops I I, and actuates an index (not represented) to register the number of reciproeations, and thus to record the amount of water flowing through the meter with great exactness.

Unlike those meters in which packed pistons are employed or equivalent parts sliding water tight, my meter operates with very slight pressures without either leakage or appreciable friction. Unlike those in which screws and the like devices are employed operating by impact of an active current striking against a part and thus impelling it by very small quantities or a very slow iowagc, and unlike those in which diaphragms or partial diaphragms are employed, the strain on the leather in my meter is always in the same direction, which allows the flexible material to retain its life much longer. This latter feature is one of great practical importance. It is well known that material bent and strained repeatedly in the saine direction endures much longer than does the same material when bent and strained alternately in opposi-te directions.

I do not claim the employment in watermeters of a diaphragm or part moving without friction in opposite directions by receiving substantially as and for the purposes ing Water on opposite sides, as various devices herein set forth.

have been used or proposed in which such fea- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my ture is introduced; but neme in the presence of two subscribing Wit- What I claim as my invention, and desire to nesscs.

secure by Letters Patent, is- JOSEPH THOMAS The stops or projections I I, carried by movable partition I on slide t', double incline lVitnessos: L L, roller M, and spiral spring m, or their G. H. BABoooK, respective equivalents, arranged and opernt- WM. B. SMITH. 

